Nearly 1,900 U.S. schools are within a mile of a data center
A new analysis reveals that nearly 1,900 U.S. public schools are located within a mile of a data center. The projects are raising concerns about traffic and noise.
Nearly 1,900 U.S. public schools are situated within a mile of at least one data center or a future facility approved for construction, according to researchers at Brown University. The analysis of data from Business Insider and the National Center for Education Statistics shows California has the largest number of such schools, with 602.
The rapid expansion of data centers is colliding with the daily lives of public school families and staff. As demand for data storage and AI services surges, tech companies seek land relatively close to customers and existing electricity and water sources. This often leads to facilities being planned in suburban and exurban areas, placing them nearer to schools.
Local residents have voiced concerns about increased traffic, noise from cooling systems and generators, and potential environmental impacts. In Coweta County, Georgia, commissioners rezoned land for a data center project that has faced opposition from the local community. Similar conflicts are occurring nationwide as data center construction intersects with residential neighborhoods and school proximity.
Research is beginning to investigate potential impacts. Preliminary findings from Brown University suggest lower math scores among students whose schools are closer to a data center. While companies state they implement measures to minimize disruptions, concerns about long-term effects persist.